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What Different Types of Industrial Flooring are There?

At Impact Flooring, we offer an expansive array of industrial flooring alternatives. If you know which option is right for your premises it will save you time and save you money as well.

In this article, we take a look at the best industrial flooring types and which environment they are most appropriate for. Sometimes, the selection of industrial flooring is based on personal preference. Obviously, though, there are circumstances in which perhaps one or two flooring options are a much better fit than others.

Most Popular Industrial Flooring Types

Industrial Concrete Flooring

Industrial concrete flooring represents the world’s most widely utilised concrete flooring. Concrete flooring is commonly found in multi-storey car parks, in road construction, and in walkways. It’s an extremely durable substance and is able to stand up to constant pressure.

Floors of this nature may either be built-in suspended format or on grade. Typically, suspended floors will be built atop metal decking, the decking being corrugated sheet metal that has a structural steel support framework.

Polished Concrete Flooring

Recognised for its excellent durability and attractive appearance, polished concrete flooring is becoming an increasingly popular choice. It’s a flooring that is frequently seen in restaurants, art galleries, and various other commercial properties. Nevertheless, because of its sheer versatility and the options it has for different designs (for example, acid staining), it’s also now used for residential building construction.

On account of its durability and attractive look, polished concrete flooring has now become a popular alternative to various other options like hardwood and carpet.

Commercial Concrete

Commercial concrete was and still is used as a way of lining commercial properties such as department stores, warehouses, and restaurants. It provides a hard-wearing surface which calls for little maintenance and it is highly customisable.

For the most part, commercial concrete flooring will come with a slip-resistant aggregate included. You’re at liberty to customise various design elements, for example, you can ask for acid staining and decals.

Epoxy Flooring

For industrial workplaces, epoxy flooring is a very popular choice. It’s a commonly selected surface because of its versatility and durability.

Epoxy flooring is not the same as epoxy floor coating. Epoxy flooring is a combination of strong epoxy. Epoxy floor coating, on the other hand, is just a single layer. Because of this, epoxy flooring can withstand persistent, heavy traffic. This flooring is easily cleaned and simple to maintain, which means it’s ideal for any type of property.

Vinyl Flooring

Relatively new as a form of industrial flooring, vinyl flooring is now mass-produced worldwide. For those that are on a tight budget, it’s a good option since it’s particularly cost-effective. Vinyl flooring is also easy to maintain, slip-resistant, and comfortable underfoot.

Selecting the appropriate industrial flooring is dependent on various factors, including practicality, cost, and overall appearance. If you get in touch with one of our team at Impact Flooring we’ll help you in making the right choice that suits your property best.

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The most used surface in a museum or gallery is the floor. Flooring materials need to be as beautiful as they are durable. Flooring must reflect the aesthetics of the artwork and space. Daily traffic from tours and visitors take a toll on the floor finish. Today, museums pick dependable, modern materials when building new or renovating old spaces.

Organic vs. Synthetic

Before the mid-1940s, wood, hemp, jute, straw, and oilskin decked high foot-traffic areas. Through the 1990s, the use of synthetic materials soared. The promise of durability made vinyl, carpet, and engineered wood flooring ideal choices for public spaces like schools, hospitals, museums, and malls. Synthetic products are easy to clean and inexpensive to replace. But, the chemicals used to produce and install synthetic products contain formaldehyde, asbestos, and other cancer-causing carcinogens. Due to the late discovery of toxic compounds in synthetic products, modern public spaces now use low-VOC or volatile organic compound products. To quell public safety concerns, museums and gallery owners have switched to sustainable, non-toxic flooring materials like bamboo, cork, concrete, or epoxy resin.

Pros and Cons

The best flooring for galleries and museums depends on a number of factors. Whether organic or synthetic, each product has its own set of pros and cons. Here are the most common surface materials and where to use them:

Hardwood

Flooring made of wood complements any style or decor. More expensive than synthetic wooden products, wood flooring is an investment that adds long-term value to real estate.

Pros:

Durable

Easy to repair and refinish

Property value

Cons:

Water may damage

Dents and scratches easily

Expensive

Higher shipping cost

Where to Use: Keep away from water and food.

Vinyl

To get the look of an organic product, people turn to vinyl and laminate. Laminate contains a photographic layer that mimics the texture of wood, stone, or tile.

Pros:

Durability

Less expensive than organic products

Resistant to fading

Easy to install

Cons:

Cannot be refinished

Slippery when wet

Easily scratched and torn

Where to Use: Great for use in high foot-traffic areas where food and drinks may be present.

Concrete

Ideal for modern creative spaces, concrete creates a durable, long-lasting surface that’s easy to maintain.

Pros:

Durable when sealed

Sustainable and eco-friendly

Color and texture options

Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

Installation costs

Susceptible to cracking under weight

Needs to be resealed often

Where to Use: Good for smaller museums or gallery spaces where foot traffic is limited.

Cork

Cork is a renewable resource. Because it’s an eco-friendly option, the use of cork has tremendously grown in popularity where temperatures dip below freezing.

Pros:

Renewable resource

Absorbs sound

Keeps warm like carpet

Mold inhibitor

Cons:

Not good for wet areas

Easily stained

Where to Use: Keep away from areas where food or drink are present.

Carpet

The least expensive option for flooring, carpeting will never go out of style. An alternative to rolled carpet, carpet tiles are easier to assemble and replace when damaged.

Pros:

Added cushioning

Energy efficient

Sound barrier

Non-slip

Cons:

Gets dirty easily

Easily stained

Prone to mold

Where to Use: Great for use in smaller areas where visitors may stand for longer periods of time.

Wall coverings and the art that adorns them aren’t the only stunning features of a popular museum or gallery. Flooring materials affect the visitor experience. Flooring can create a sense of warmth or sterility. When renovating or designing a museum-quality space, the choice in flooring should be both utilitarian and eye-catching. What flooring is used in your favorite museum or gallery? Do you favor softer finishes like carpet or laminate? Or, do you prefer organic materials like stone and wood? Let us know your opinion!

Text provided by FreightCenter